By Karen Stiller

Family Day is coming. But for many busy families another day to fill with fun and unplanned spending can actually feel like a bit of a stretch—especially on the third Monday of February when the Canadian cold has squeezed the last drop of spontaneous glee right out of you. Here are some ideas for Family Day activities for families who care deeply about each other, their budget and the world.

1. Have a Family Art Day. Pick a simple art project. Simple because, depending on the ages of your children, odds are it will become more complicated and messy than you counted on. We buy ready to be painted easels at a local craft store and let the kids go wild. Sometimes suggesting a theme like “I Yearn for Spring” for example, can loosen up your young artist. So far, our home gallery is four paintings strong and I intend to keep them forever.
   
   
2. Spread out magazines, glue and poster board and create a family dream collage. Cut out photos of places you’d like to visit, things you’d like do and people you’d like to meet. As you cut and paste, talk about the world, your goals and your favourite things. You’ll get to know each other better even as you dream big. Hang your collage in a special place for all to see.
   
   
3. Make a movie. Haul out your video camera, drag out the costume box and have the kids work together to create a simple story line. Then, improvise and laugh your way through many takes. In our home, this inevitably becomes a Star Wars-esque epic that involves at least one light saber fight gone bad. But even that is hilarious to watch later (when everyone is bandaged up) with a big bowl of popcorn.
   
   
4. Host a family game day. Invite another family over, set up a card table or two and break out the board games or decks of cards. Google “rules for family card games” and you’ll be on your way. Our kids love playing things like Pictionary, any of the Cranium games and card games like Pig and I Doubt It. Setting up special game tables with bowls of snacks in the family room makes it seem even more special and festive.
   
   
5. Cook together. Someday very soon we are planning a few hours of making Chinese dumplings together, then a few hours of eating them! Choose a dish from an ethnic group other than your own that teaches your kids something about the world even as they learn to dice, soak, fry or whatever else your dish requires. If your cooking time can be preceded by visiting a different part of town or an ethnic grocery store for supplies, all the better.
   
   
6. Check out local galleries, museums, an outdoor education centre or even the library for affordable (maybe even free!) activities especially designed for Family Day.
   
   
7. If you didn’t have time to write a Christmas letter this year, spend a few hours on Family Day creating a family newsletter that everyone participates in writing. It’s not too late, even in February, to think about and record highlights from last year. Send it to friends, family, and if you sponsor a child through World Vision, be sure to include them on your mailing list.

These books are great to read as a family, or on your own.